Collaborate 09 - Gone but not forgotten

Collaborate
By ITC Oracle Educator
May 8, 2009

Well Collaborate 09 is gone but certainly not forgotten. I had the opportunity to:

• Attend technical sessions on topics on which I knew little or nothing but wanted to understand better such as Essbase.
• Attend technical sessions on topics on which I think I know quite a bit but of course not everything. In fact, one of these sessions was on the same topic as one of my presentations: migrating Discoverer to OBIEE. While the same basic information was presented, I was able to increase my knowledge as the focus was on different issues and the examples presented provided good information for future reference.

  • I was also very surprised to hear the presenter mention my session and comment positively on a point I had made the previous day. I guess I am not the only one trying to better their technical knowledge in their areas of expertise.

• Meet with current and prospective clients along with technical staff from other vendors. I always try to understand the problems and solutions that others have experienced and share with them whatever insight I can provide to help them. Aside from meeting people throughout the conference, I helped staff the IT Convergence Booth in the Exhibition Hall for a three hour shift. Naturally, many people who stopped at the booth were interested in participating in the “puzzle game” and vendor giveaways. (I myself did bring home a small stuffed animal for my grandson and two yoyos for me and my wife.) However, when I asked about their Oracle products and what topics they were interested in learning at the conference, it generated some good discussions on interesting technical issues.
• Meet face to face with co-workers whom I had worked and talked with for several years but had rarely (or never) met in person. That’s just the nature of being part of a world wide organization where you are typically at a client’s site.
• Enjoy some very warm, sunny weather!

Discoverer, OBIEE, and BI Publisher
My two presentations went well.

1. Discoverer to OBIEE Migration Steps Made Easy or At Least Less Difficult
2. What Can BI Publisher Do For You?

My first session had about a dozen people in attendance. At the end, they asked some good questions about some of the topics I had presented. As I presenter, I always get worried if no questions are asked.

My second session was at 8:30 am the last day of the conference. With this time slot and the fact that many attendees were at the Universal theme park the previous evening, I was not sure how many people would attend. About 15 did attend which I thought was good for this conference. This session was also part of the Virtual sessions IOUG was broadcasting over the web. I do not know how many people were virtual attendees but I do thank anyone who took the time to attend especially if they were on Rocky Mountain or Pacific time.

Attendees again asked some good questions and I was very thankful that the Oracle BI Publisher product manager was in attendance as he answered many of the questions. I thought it somewhat ironic and certainly fortunate that I learned something during my own presentation. That seems to be a good way to explain the essence of a Collaborate conference.

Well, that’s all from Collaborate 09 and I hope to be able to present at Collaborate 10.

If anyone does want a copy of my white papers or Power Point presentations they will soon be available on the IT Convergence Collaborate 09 page, and you can contact me directly for copies.
Barry Markovic
Managing Principal Consultant
IT Convergence
bmarkovic@itconvergence.com

Written by ITC Oracle Educator

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